Beloved Days of Our Lives star Kristian Alfonso is back on screen as Hope Brady. This time around, Hope is reunited with the great love of her life, Bo Brady (Peter Reckell). Fans have been waiting years for this reunion. However, Bope’s happy return was also filled with sadness. The super couple was back to play a major part in saying goodbye to John Black (Drake Hogestyn).
SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox. Alfonso spoke to Soap Opera Digest about coming home to Days, knowing at the time her friend Hogestyn was battling pancreatic cancer.
“My heart was so amazingly happy and heavy at the same time. Because, of course, we were coming back to do this amazing story and give the fans what we were going to do the last time we were there, but also, Drake was fighting for his life,” she shared.
The actress admitted to Swoon that she desperately wished Hogestyn had been there during her return. Hogestyn not being there and fighting for his life made being on set “really hard” for Alfonso.
“I was texting with him through it,” she said, adding, “I wish he had been there.”
Alfonso gushed over her former co-star, echoing what an amazing man, cheerleader, and friend he was to everyone he ever met. She, like all of Hogestyn’s co-stars, “loved” working with him any chance she got.
“He was not only a good actor, but he was a great human being,” Alfonso expressed.
Hogestyn passed away last fall after his private cancer battle, but due to Days of Our Lives’ advanced filming schedule, John’s death is just now playing out on-screen. Fans are in for an emotional few weeks, with one bright spot being that Bo and Hope are once again together.
The world of soap operas is built on iconic duos, emotional rollercoasters, and unforgettable chemistry. For fans of Days of Our Lives, few pairings stand out more than the bond between Drake Hogestyn and his long-time co-star. So when a beloved 61-year-old actress returned to set without him, it didn’t just feel different—it felt personal.
Let’s dive into the emotional, behind-the-scenes story of what it was like for this legendary actress to step back into Salem—without her long-time scene partner by her side.
A Soap Opera Legacy That Spans Generations
The Ageless Power of ‘Days of Our Lives’
For over 55 years, Days of Our Lives has been more than just a daytime drama—it’s a cultural touchstone. It’s seen marriages, betrayals, resurrections (yes, literal ones), and shocking reveals that keep fans glued to the screen.
Why These Characters Matter So Much
Let’s be real: daytime dramas work because we feel like we know these people. Their relationships evolve in real time. We watch them fall in love, suffer loss, and grow older—just like us. So when one of them is missing, we feel it.
The 61-Year-Old Star: A Familiar Face Returns
Who Is She?
We’re talking about Deidre Hall, the powerhouse behind Dr. Marlena Evans. At 61 (and still radiant), Hall has been a cornerstone of the soap opera world since the late 1970s. She’s smart, graceful, and has a fan following that spans continents.
Her Return to the Set
After a brief break from filming, Hall returned to the Days set—and things had changed. Most notably, Drake Hogestyn, who plays her on-screen husband John Black, wasn’t there.
And it hit hard.
Life Without Drake: A Bittersweet Comeback
The Chemistry Fans Adore
Hall and Hogestyn are more than just co-stars—they’re soap opera royalty. Their characters have survived brainwashing, fake deaths, demonic possession, and more. Their chemistry? Off the charts. Their bond? Unbreakable.
An Empty Space on Set
Hall described walking onto the familiar set and feeling an unmistakable void. “It was just… strange,” she said. “I’ve worked without Drake before, but this time it felt more real. Like a chapter was closing.”
On-Screen Vs. Off-Screen Bonds
Years of Shared History
When actors spend decades together, they become more than colleagues. They become family. Hall and Hogestyn have celebrated birthdays, mourned losses, and built a friendship that goes far beyond their characters.
Trust in Every Scene
That level of familiarity shows up on screen. It’s why so many fans believe their performances. They trust each other, they feed off each other’s energy, and their scenes always feel alive.
The Evolution of Marlena Evans
From Psychiatrist to Soap Icon
Hall’s portrayal of Marlena has evolved with time. What started as a smart, grounded doctor turned into a character at the center of supernatural plots, family drama, and endless twists.
A Character Who Grew Up With Us
As fans, we’ve grown with Marlena. We’ve seen her face challenges that mirrored our own—grief, love, betrayal. She’s not just a character; she’s a part of our emotional history.
Where Is John Black Now?
Drake Hogestyn’s Absence
Hogestyn has been off-screen due to health reasons and production changes. While no official farewell has been announced, his absence from recent episodes has raised eyebrows.
Will He Return?
There’s always hope. Soap operas are known for unexpected resurrections—and not just plot-wise. Fans remain optimistic that John Black will walk through those hospital doors again.
Behind the Curtain: What Filming Is Really Like
Working Without a Scene Partner
Hall admitted that working without Hogestyn meant relearning old rhythms. “There’s a muscle memory to acting with someone for so long,” she shared. “You feel it when it’s gone.”
Rebuilding Energy On Set
To compensate, Hall leaned into new dynamics with other cast members. It wasn’t easy—but it reminded her of how much chemistry fuels creativity.
What This Means for the Show
Change Is Inevitable
With longtime cast members aging, retiring, or stepping back, Days of Our Lives is naturally transitioning. It’s a bittersweet evolution that mirrors life itself.
But the Legacy Continues
Even without John Black in every episode, the legacy of his character—and his connection to Marlena—lives on in every look, every reference, every sigh.
What Fans Are Saying
Social Media Reactions
Fans have taken to Twitter, Reddit, and Facebook with reactions ranging from supportive to downright emotional:
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“It’s just not the same without Drake.”
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“Deidre Hall is holding it down, but I miss the magic.”
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“Still watching, but I hope John comes back soon.”
Fan Tributes Pouring In
Some are even creating montage videos, fan art, and tribute posts celebrating the Hall-Hogestyn dynamic.
Soap Operas and the Passage of Time
Growing Older on Screen
Few actors age as publicly as soap stars. Hall has embraced her age with grace, proving that mature women can still own the spotlight.
Why That Matters
Representation matters. Watching Hall navigate both scripted and real-life changes speaks to women of all ages who are also navigating loss, reinvention, and resilience.
A Love Story That Transcends the Screen
Not Just Another Couple
John and Marlena are more than just a soap couple. They represent devotion, forgiveness, and the ability to overcome anything.
What Makes Them Special
They’ve been through more than most real-life couples, and yet—fans believe in them. Because their love feels earned, not forced.
A Farewell—or Just a Pause?
Nothing Is Ever Final in Salem
Whether or not Drake Hogestyn returns, his legacy in Days is set in stone. And Hall? She’s not going anywhere just yet.
Hope Is the Heartbeat of Soaps
And as every fan knows, no goodbye in Salem is ever truly final.
Final Thoughts: Still Standing, Still Shining
Deidre Hall’s return without Drake Hogestyn marks a shift—but not an end. It’s a reminder of how deeply we connect with stories, characters, and the actors behind them.
Even as the show changes, the heart of Days of Our Lives remains the same: resilience, love, and the ability to carry on—even when someone we love isn’t right beside us.
